Sorting device



Feb- 5, 1935- J. w. ARMBRUSTER 1,989,840

SORTING DEVICE Original Filed Feb. 5, 1950 y9 Sheets-Sheet 1 Feb. 5, 1935. J. w ARMBRUSTER SORTING DEVICE Original Filed Feb. 5, 1950 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTQR .T I O O O O O C l 9 SheeS-Sheet 3 SORTING DEVCE IZB) WILLIAM au 7U'562METnaPou15MGLENOA LE J. w. ARMBRUSTER a b c d e.

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` soRTING DEVICE 9 Sheets-SheeiI 7 Feb. 5, 1935.

Original Filed Feb.` 5, 1930 Feb. 5, 1935. J W ARMBRUSTER 1,989,840

SORTING DEVICE Original Filed Feb. 5, 1930 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 Flan.

VENTOR Feb. 5, 1935. f J. ARMBRUsTER 1,989,840

SORTING DEVICE originai Filed Feb. 5. 1930 9 sheets-sheet 9 STA ff CITY NAME

Patented Feb. 5,1935A A1,989,840 soa'rmo Dmoz Jaim w. ambi-mer, am muy, N. r., u- ,t

assignments, to Interna Corporation, New York,

lignonbymeane Busin. Machines tional N. Y., a corporation of New York Qrlginal application February 5, 1936, Serial No. 425,966. Divided and this application July 1l, 1631, Serial No. 550.110

1'3 Claims. (Cl. 208-110) This case is a division of application Serial No. 425,966, filed February 5, 1930, for Accounting and tabulating machines.

This invention relates generally to sorting 5 devices and more particularly to sorting mechan- June in the scale.

ism for handling accounting record cards.

The invention provides novel control devices for sorting, whereby the data on the card, between certain predetermined limits set up in the machine before sorting, control the segregation of the record cards. Ihe control mechanism also includes means for sorting according to the magnitude of the data on the card in the numerical, alphabetical, or chronological scales. A control may be exercised simultaneously by different characteristics of the data on the record cards for controlling the sorting of the cards. The settable controls on a control plate may be positioned at one or two index points along the columns of data perforated on the record card for sorting control between predetermined limits. A means is provided to select the range of sorting control desired, namely: sorting abovethe index set up on the control plate, sorting below the index set up, sorting at a particular position of the set up, or sorting between a plurality of index positions set up.

A more complete control of the functioning of an accounting machine is also an object of this invention. The present machine provides control for many of the functions of the machine that is so devised that when the data presented by the record card do not satisfy predetermined requirements, that are decided upon and set up in the machine before its operation, the said controls will separate such data from the other data that do satisfy the requirements. Because of its complexity, this object will have to be explained in detail.

In this specication it is assumed that the data scale starts at January and progresses along to December so that July would be higher than In the alphabetic scale, a may be taken as the first letter and all other letters in order up to z may be mentioned hereinafter as being higher in the alphabetic scale.

An object is to so make the control that not only can I one denomination of a number, or period of a date, or letter of a name, be the determining factor of control of sorting; but all the elements of a full name, number, or date, may be the determining factors.r The highest order of the number, etc., set up will not be the only order capable of manifesting that the data presented by the card are of a lower or higher bined may control at the same time.

position in the scale used, but every order of the set up has this power. If for instance, '16.82 be set up for a control and 76.92 be presented by the card then the dimes order control will have the ability of manifesting that the num- .ber tendered is larger than the set up amount;

if 77.62 be presented, then the dollars order control will have this power of discrimination. The same is true of the controls in the date and alphabetic scales. When a control by a number is desired, a plurality of denominations in the control device are so coupled that control will not be exercised by dimes, dollars or cents alone, although that is possible, but a full number consisting of the units, tens, hundreds, etc., denominations may be set up on the controls and then said control will be affected by the full number of units, tens, etc., denominations presented by the punched card. In a like manner, when a date is considered, not alone can a certain year, month or day be made the controlling factor, but the full date of all three periods com- A control of a date consisting of a certain year, month and day may be set up and will simultaneously act as a unit in controlling according to the place in the date scale voi? a date on the punched card of a certain year, month, and day, which also acts as a unit. During operation under name control in the present machine, the first letter or any letter oi a name is-not alone the sole determining factor of control, although it may be so used. In a novel fashion all the letters or a few of the letters of a name may at the same time be controlling factors in selective control, according to the place the name of a man, city, state, etc., presented on a punched card, occupies in the alphabetic scale.

For example, the letters Omtin may be decided upon as the control wished exercised over certain names about to be presented in the machine by punched cards. As the cards run through the machine and the control mechanism functions, not only will names such as Prota or Winte, that are higher in the alphabetic scale than the rst letter, influence the controls to make manifest that these names are higher in the alphabetic scale, but names such as Omtip or Omwal will have the same iniluence, even though the change in the alphabetic magnitude occurs in the center or at the end of a name.

To exercise the control, the devices are arranged so that the setting of manipulative elements to a certain place in the numerical, date, or alphabetic scales. plus the setting of an element to indicate whether control is desired above, below, or exactly at that certain place in the scale used, upon operation of the machine control devices, will vary the sorting oi.' the data within the control o! the two elements, from that data outside of the range oi the control predetermined by the two elements.

The above mentioned manipulative elements are so situated and constructed that when they are set in a particular position above the related type bar or actuator, the movement o! the actuaor to an extent corresponding to the particular position held by the manipulative element presents a notch in the actuator and allows a controlling movement oi' the manipulative element to take place. On each side o! the notch. the actuator is cut to present, a different level to the said element, thus affording an indication whether the actuator has moved more or less than the data set up.

The requirements which the operator of the machine may desire are made ready to exercise control by ilrst setting up a certain amount, number, agent designation, age, policy number, date, operator number, occupation classification, name or address, by the manipulative knobs provided for the purpose; then next he can require, by moving a lever, that the above data will control in one of ve diierent ways. The first position print of the lever denotes that the machine is to function in its usual fashion, which means it will print and add all data presented by the punched cards, and not separate the cards by sorting. Another position of the lever is the above index position. With the lever in this position, the machine will print, add and sort the data which include a name, number or date which is higher in the numerical, dating or alphabetic scales than that data set up by the manipulative knobs. Thus, if $15.00 is set up by the knobs and a punched card presents data including the amount $15.00 or under, that data will not be printed or added nor will the record cards be sorted from usual stack. However, if the data included an amount $15.01 or over, the data would be printed and accumulated and the record cards would be separated from the others. In a like manner, if Dec. 29, 21 is set up by the knobs, and data are presented dated Dec. 29, 21 or before, that data will not be sorted separately, but if the data are dated Dec. 30, 21 or later, sorting will take place in the usual manner; so also if En is set up by the name knobs and data are presented including a name such as Elright or Emsill or a name lower in the alphabetic scale, that data will not be sorted, however, if the data includes a name such as Eodise or Epstein or a name higher in the alphabetic scale, then sorting will occur. Any other data such as policy number, kind of occupation, address, etc., may be used to control in a similar fashion.

By progressive set ups of the name knobs, an alphabetical listing and sorting of a group of cards is possible. The third position of the lever is the exact position. With the lever in this position the machine will print, add, and selectively sort only the data which include a name, number, or date which is exactly the same as that requirement which is set up on the manipulative knobs by the operator of the machine. Another position of the lever is the below index position. Under this control the machine will print, add and sort only the data including a name, number, or date which is smaller or lower in its scale than that set up 0n the adjustbly set knobs. With this control, the action of the lever in the above index" position is reversed. Taking the same examples of the setting of the manipulative knobs given above, then given data presenting $14.99 or under, a date of Dec. 28, 21 or earlier, a name of Emsill or lower in the alphabetic scale, such data will be printed and added, with the cards separately sorted, and any data higher in the respective scales will be rejected. The iifth position of the lever is the no print position. In this position a control is effected so that printing will not occur and all the cards will be grouped separately no matter what the data on the card or the data set up of the adjustable knobs.

The above general discussion gives an outline of the control exercised by the manipulative control lever and adjustable knobs during the normal operation of the machine.

Another method of control has been devised and is thought admirably fitted for use in the present machine. It departs only slightly from the construction of the controls mentioned above, but eilfects an altogether different mode of control. The controls described in general above, control when data are below, above or exactly at a certain point in alphabetic, dating or numerical scales. This other control would be exercised between two points in a scale.

One example is control between two dates such as between December and April, representing a quarter year in which it is often convenient to have the data falling within that period tabulated and accumulated and assorted aside from all other data. Other examples involve amounts or numbers. At times it is well to isolate data having numbers say between 500 and 800, or having amounts between 60.00 and 90.00, from other data outside this range of numbers. So also in alphabetic control it may be well at times to separate data including names beginning with K, L and M from all other data.

It is an object that this control between two points should exercise all the same controls that have been explained above in connection with the sorting control that was exerted on data below, above and on a certain index.

An important object is to secure asorting or selecting device that will separate out oi a mass of data, a certain group of data, not alone of one characteristic but of a group of characteristics between variable limits set by the machine. Heretofore, in the knowledge of the applicant, selection depended upon a single characteristic of the data and only by later combining the results of single selection was group selection secured.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a sorting device for the record cards that is incorporated right in the tabulating and accumulating machine. Thus, the usual extra sorting machine is dispensed /witl Sorting of the punched cards is accomplished in the present machine simultaneously with printing and accumulating operation. Thus, the extra time usually required for sorting is saved by the present device. The sorting is done under the influence of the novel control described generally in these objects and more specifically further along in the specification.

While the above outline of objects presents the general purpose of the present invention many other worthy and novel purposes will be apparent as this specication continues.

Theillustratioemachhle To aid in describing this invention, it is thought advisabletoapplyittoaspecinccase. Acertain classofmachinehasbeenillmtratedinthednwings. a-general outline of which machine will be given now so as to help the understanding of the detail description given hereinafter. Even though this machine serves admirably to illustrate the important features of the invention it is to he understood that the speciilo application of these features is not intended to restrict their use but that many variations and adaptations of the machine for use in other nelds of business are contemplated. A y

Aclassofbusinesshasbeenchosenthatitis thought will best illustrate the practical use of the novel features of the invention. lhe machine illustrated is adapted for use by a large insurance company. It is thought that such a concern may have different districts each having a group of -agents who solicit the disposal of the various policies of the company to the public. Each district would have a machine such as that disclosed and also have a punch card system cooperating with the machine. This punched card system would require a key punch machine and operator for transferring the incoming data from the policies, etc., onto the punched cards. These cards would then be iiled in accordance with a certain system. It will be assumed here that they are led according to the kind of policy, each group of cards say of the same color being of the same type of a policy. These policies may demand different terms of payment, some annually, some quarterly, some monthly. The present machine will print bills ready to send out or statements 'calling for such payments.

The data recorded on the punched cardare intended to cover most statistical requirements. There is plenty of room left on the card, after the following data are on. for other records. It will include the following:

A number given to the policy holder that will completely distinguish him from any other having the same name, etc. This numberwill also be a convenient means of sorting a particular record card out of a group of other record cards. A region punched to represent an amount is also on the card. This amount is the premium of the policy and requires payment at intervals to keep the policy in force. If the amounts increase Aor decrease, a slight change in the layout of this machine would provide diierent spaces, one for each amount, which could be progressively printed as the policy matures. The age of the policy holder at the date of the taking out of the policy is recorded on the card mainly for statistical use. The agents are assigned numbers and these numbers are also recorded on the record card. 'I'he agent who is responsible for the taking of the policy is recorded by having a punching corresponding to his number inserted in a section reserved for it on the punched card. The occupation of the policy holder is given one of a number of code numbers and punching corresponding to this number is cut in an appropriate portion of the record card. This is also an item used mainly for statistics. The code number of the key punch operator who transfers the data to the record card will also be represented by a combination of holes in the card. This designation is provided merely for placing the responsibilityfor mistakes made in making the record cards. 'I'he date of the issue of the policy is also represented by a combination ofholesonthecard. Thisportionofthe recordisusefulingoverningthetimeof sending annual or periodical statements and for statisticalpurposesalso. 'lhekindofpolicyis alsoreprentedonthecardandmaybeusedin sorting. aside from the color diiferentiation. 'Ihe full name and address of the policy holder are also presented by code punchings on the card. These punchings Provide the means of addressing the statements. besides furnishing means whereby an alphabetic listing of records according to namemaybemade oralistingaccordingtolocation in a certain city or state ispossible.

The convenience of having all these data on ene card instead of on three or more cards is believed apparent. Thus. it is seen that a complete record of all information concerning a policy is contained-in a single record card.

The group of punched cards upon which operationis desiredisplacedintoafeeding rack on the machine. From this rack they are fed down into cooperation with a Jacquard device which utilises all combinations of holes on the card to move type bars or actuators to an extent necessary to place a pair of type on the bar, corresponding tc said combination, opposite the platens. Printing may then be performed on two record sheets.

There is a group of totalizers provided in the machine. The group comprises a separate totallzer for each of the l5 agents; and a grand totalizer. During regular operations the correct agents totalizer is automatically selected by a train of connections controlled by the movement of the agent type bar under control of the related combination of holes on the card. At the same time the grand totalizer is meshed simultaneously with any one of the agents totalizers. These totalizers are operated by rack teeth cut in the amount type bars which are also under control of a section of the punched card.

At the front of the machine is located a control section. It consists of a control lever on one side and a control plate extending across the machine and having a plurality of notched slots in which knurled lmobs may be shifted. The con-' trol lever is shiftable in a notched slot to one of five controlling positions. Each position determines in what way the control knobs are to effect control of the machine.

Each control knob cooperates with a related type bar or actuator and has as many controlling positions as the type bar has printing positions and sorting selection control positions, for example. the months control knob has l2 controlling positions. These control knobs are arranged in groups, each group being a separate characteristic of the data handled by the machine. For example, there are 5 amount control knobs, 3 date control knobs (year, month, day), 2 policy holders name control knobs, etc. It is contemplated that only one group of knobs be used for controlling at a time, although there is no reason why two or more groups should not be used as a simultaneous control. To aid in placing the contrcl knobs in position the slots in the control plate are notched and on the side of each notch are indicia identifying the position. So that once acertain number, name, or date is decided upon as a desired control, all that is necessary is to lift the related group of control knobs out of their inoperative position at the fr ont of the control plate and move them to, and place them in, the notches corresponding to the number, name, or date selected. The knobs will remain in this position until moved by the machine operator for other control. In this position they are adapted to change the functioning of the machine in many ways, the one way in which they are to control at one time being determined by the control lever already mentioned. This control lever in one position (print) disables the controlling action of the knobs so that the regular grouping of the records, printing, etc., will occur no matter what position the control knobs occupy. In the next position "above index of the lever suppressive control is exerted on data whose magnitude in their respective scale is below that magnitude to which the control knobs have been set. For example, if the amount control knobs are set to $3.69, and a card with an amount of $3.75 is tendered to the machine, this data will be acceptable, and sorting, printing, etc., will occur in the normal manner.

1f the amount had been $3.65, however, the' controls would have functioned to prevent the printing, sorting, etc., of the data. In the same manner any other group of controls, say in the name or date scales, would have exerted their control on any data presented that were lower in their scale. The exact index" position of the lever is one of decided utility. When the lever is inthis position and the control knobs of a group are placed to represent an amount, name, date, etc., only the data including that certain amount, name, or date will be printed, separately grouped etc. All other data will not be printed, sorted, etc. For example, if Jan. l0, 1920 is set on the date control knobs, only data including that date will be sorted separately. In the next position below index of the lever the conditions described above in relation to the above index" position are just reversed. For example, if Sm be set up on the name control knobs at this time, data including a name such as Sloss will be sorted, printed, etc.. but if a name such as Snover is presented, the data associated therewith will not be printed, sorted, etc. The next position no print" of the lever controls for preventing printing, sorting, etc., no matter what data are presented by the punched cards or what position the control knobs assume. Another position, between index a control mechanism. for which is shownin the drawings, could be added on the lever or the above index position could be used. It would control between two points set by two control knobs in a slot of any scale. For example, two knobs in the date scale could be set at Mar. and July, then operation of the machine would print, sort. etc., only those data of a date between Mar. and July; all other data would be rejected.

These various controls above mentioned are very useful for statistical work in a large insurance business. A few of the examples of how the machine may be employed in such a business will now be given. The amount control knobs may be set to a certain amount and then with the control levers in exact index position only policies having that certain premium will be listed, sorted, etc. out of all others.

The record furnished by using this control and setting up different amounts until all cards are sorted would show which is the popular premium and which is second in demand, etc. Or, with the lever in above index position and the amount control knobs set to a certain amount, only policies having premiums larger than that certain amount will be sorted separately. So also with below indexl control, only policies of smaller premiums than the set up will be sorted. And

with a between index" control only 'policies having premiums ranging between the amounts set up will be sorted.

With the age control knobs set to a certain age and the control lever in exact index" position, only those policies having, in the data on them, that certain age will be sorted. All others will be discarded. If this control is used in conjunction with the date control the statistics can always be kept up-to-date as regards the age of policy holders, the age on the record card being that of the policy holder when taking out the policy. The method to use would be, first, sort the cards according to date, giving a batch of cards for each year, say 1916, 1917, 1918, etc. Then, if the present date is 1920 and the 1917 batch of cards is being tabulated under an age control of 25, the real age of the people holding those 1917 policies is 28 years, and this fact could be considered in compiling the statistics. With the "above index or below index" control being exercised, only policies in which their holders are above or below respectively the age set up by knobs will be sorted. This control would be well employed in finding how many policies are outstanding to people in a dangerous age, say above 85 years and below 9 years. The between index" control would effect a useful control also if the age control knobs are set to include a certainrange of.' ages, say between 5 and 9 years. All cards relating to policies allotted to children of that age would be sorted and all other cards would not be separated.

If the agents control knobs be set in a certain position and the machine operated under exact index control, only the cards relating to policies secured by the certain agent will be sorted separately. If either the above index, below index or between index" be used, only cards for policies secured by agents in the group respectively above, below, or between the set up will be sorted. This control will be especially useful if the agents are divided into groups for competitive purposes, one group being pitted against another in soliciting business.

The number assigned to each policy holder and represented on the punched card may also be made useful in conjunction with the control mechanism. The data on the cards may be selected according to such a number or group of numbers. One form of the policies is numbered in the order of issuance. Then, in conjunction with the date selection there can be found and tabulated the number of policies issued between certain dates; or in another case requiring the data of a certain group of policies between two policy numbers, after setting of the number control knobs, operation of the machine will sort out this information.

If the cards upon which mistakes have been made in transferring the data from the policy to the card are separated out of the main bunch of cards, means is provided for fixing the responsibility for such errors. A section on the card is allotted to record the key punch operators number. The control section is provided with an operator control knob and means for selecting the cards of one or a group of operators for tabulation. So that out of the bunch of cards, the ones made by a certain operator may be selected and recorded, or the cards made by a certain group of operators may be separately grouped and recorded.

An occupation control knob is provided on the control plate, and the punched cards are adapted to receive a combination of punched holes representing the policy holder's occupation. By means of these provisions the data on some of the cards, because of having common occupational requirements, may be selected out of the other data presented to the machine. Also, a group of occupations representing a common class of labor may be the determining factor in the selection of data.

The date control may exercise very useful functioning in the machine. By this means the expired policies may be selected from the others. Periodical payments of the premiums may be insured by the control of the dating data over the issuance of the bills. The annual paying policies could be selected according to the month ot their issue. Say a policy was taken out on May 14, 1916. then a bill should be issued May 1, 1917, May 1, 1918, etc. That could be done in this machine by setting the date control knobs to control between May and June. Then, all policies whose date falls in that category will be selected and tabulated and have bills printed. In a like manner, policies payable quarterly would be picked from a bunch four times a year. Say the quarterly policy is dated June 10, 1917, then on the date of Sept. 1, 1917, Dec. 1, 1917, and Mar, 1, 1918, etc., the control knob will be placed at Jlme position and the data on all the June policies including the one above will be printed ona bill and a record strip, the amounts will be accumulated in a totalizer, grand totalizer, and the cards will be sorted. To sort out expired policies the control lever is set to below index and the date (20 or 30 years prior to the present date, accord-` ing to kind of policy) is set up on the date control knobs. Then, out of the cards run through the machine, those below the set date, in other words expired,V will be tabulated, accumulated, and sorted from the rest. As shown, one control bank is provided for the year designation, giving control extending over 32 years. However, two banks may be assigned to this designation if a longer range of years isl desired.

The kind of policy control may be utilized to sort the cards for placement in their proper oillce illes. Two bands of controls are provided for this characteristic so that more than 900 diilerent kinds of policies could be selectively controlled.

I'he name control is one that may have a multitude of uses. Only two banks of controls are shown devoted to this designation, as the ilrst two letters of a name will generally'place it, in a group of names that is not too large. Where a large number of names are handled and many names diifer only in the third or fourth letter, then additional controls could be provided as shown by the state controls. In the present machine, by setting the control lever to exact position and the name control knobs to Ab, Ac, Ad, etc., successively, and running a bunch of cards through between each set up, an alphabetic listing of the names, plus the data connected therewith on those cards may be had. In the same manner a card containing a particular name may be picked out of a bunch of cards.

An address of a policy holder may determine selective control. The record card has provisions for street and street number printing, also space for city and state designation. The control section has city and state control knobs so that selection may be determined by geographical location of policy holders. With the city control knobs set in a formation of Boston and the control lever in exact position only the policies whose holders reside in Boston will be tabulated, sorted, etc. So also by means of the state" control knobs for a larger district, say, Penn, may be taken under control for sorting.

From the above examples as applied to the insurance business only a few adaptations of this flexibly controlled machine may be observed. The controls may also be used in combination where a pluralityof characteristics of the data, anyone of which is a desired controlling factor, are wished to exercise control at the same time. An example of this would exist when there are set in controlling positions the control knobs for` a certain agent and a certain date.l Then not only would control be governed by the one characteristic, the agent, but the date of the data presented would also exercise control.

When the machine is being operated under the influence of the control section and an item is printed or accumulated because of said inuence, the card associated with the item will be sorted aside from the cards having data which did not satisfy the requirements of the control set up. 'I'his sorting occurs automatically and at the same time as printing and accumulating. 'I'he cards thus sorted may be separately tabulated in the machine for a record or may be illed away for future reference.

In government work also there are many conbe expedited in no small measure by the ability of this device to simultaneously pick out any one of a selected group of characteristics for tabulation. For example, recording of data concerning people between ages of 10 to 20 or 20 to 30, etc., or data relating to manufacturing establishments having a capital between $50,000 to $60,000, etc., can be selected, printed and sorted simultaneously and does not necessitate separate selection for each characteristic. Tabulation according to each individual characteristic can be had, of course, when desired.

The invention is illustrated by the drawings in which the following views illustrate the illustrative machine described herein. These drawings accompany and form part of the specication.

Fig. 1A is a side elevation view of the forward portion of the machine showing the operating connections for the controlling mechanism.

Fig. 1B is a continuation of Fig. 1A and is a side elevation view of the rear portion of the machine showing the card feeding, sensing, and sorting mechanism; also the motor and connections to the operating mechanism.

Fig. 2 is a detail view of a perforated record card.

Fig. 3 shows the combinational hole system used in perforating the record cards. It also shows the number of steps of movement given the actuators of the machine and the corresponding alphabetic and date positions of the actuators for each combination of holes using five holes in combination.

Fig. 4 shows the combination hole system used in perforating the record cards with four holes in combination. It also shows the number of steps of movement given the actuators of the machine for each combination of holes.

Fig. 5'is a side elevation view of the mechanism for converting the movement of four rods in the Jacquard mechanism, sensed by four perforation positions in a record card in different combinations, into sixteendifferent extents of movement of a type bar and control actuator.

Fig. 6 is a side elevation view of the mechanism for converting the movement of iive sensing rods in different combinations into thirty-two different extents of movement of a control bar.

Fig. 7 is a side elevation view showing the arrangement of three of the m shown in Fig. 5 so as to be able to operate all three from a single bank of twelve rods in the connection box on the Jacquard mechanism.

Fig. 8 is a side elevation view showing the arrangement of two of the mechanisms illustrated in Fig. 6 so as to be able to operate both mechanisms from a single bank of ten rods in the connection box of the jacquard mechanism.

Fig. 9 is a side elevation of the control and printing mechanisms.

Fig. 10 is a detail view of one bank of the control mechanism with a plurality of settable knobs for controlling operation of the machine.

Figure 10A is a detail view of another form of the device shown in Fig. 10 inwhich the settable knobs are adjustable with relation t each other.

Fig. 1l is a front sectional elevation view of the control type bars and the adjustable control lmobs. A

Fig. 12 is a plan view of the adjustable sorting control plate and knobs showing the controlling positions of the knobs.

For a description of any of the parts shown and indicated on the drawings and not described as necessary to the understanding of the present invention, reference may be made to the copending application referred to at the beginning of this specification.

Casina and framework In Figs. 1A and 1B there is shown one side of the main frame of the machine which serves to support most of the various mechanisms to be described. This frame is composed of right side frame 50 and a left side frame 51, each near its respective side of the machine. The space between the frames may be .provided with intermediate bracing frames if additional support for the cross shafts and bars is desired. Many of the cross shafts use the two side frames for bearings while other shafts and bars are ilxed in the frames and act as tie rods. 'Ihe two vertical frames are secured to, and supported by, a base plate 52. This base plate extends beyond the frames and may be provided with legs so that it forms the platform of a table or it may be left plain without legs in which case the machine could be placed upon another table for operation. Y

The machine is constructed so that the bulk of the operating parts are located between the two side frames 50 and 51, although at each side there is an overhang of certain portions of the mechanisms including a number of the main through shafts. It will be apparent as the description progresses that wherever possible the various distinct features of the machine have been constructed as individual units having their own supporting frames which are separably mounted and secured in place on an appropriate portion of the main supporting structure.

The frames 50 and 51 extend at the rear (Fig. 1B) to support the card feeding, sensing, and sorting mechanism mounted on the rear of the machine.

A casing 53 covers most of the machine, leav- `ing an open space for the insertion of the record cards. The case also has apertures through which the controlling keys are depressed and the levers are rocked.

Main operating mechanism In the following description the operating connections will be traced from their source of energization up to the point of application. The application of the driving movements will be described further on in connection with the mechanism with which they are used. Mounted on the base 52 is an electric motor 55 (Fig. 1B) the shaft 56 of which extends into a gear reduction unit 57. This gear reduction device may consist of the usual worm on the motor shaft with a cooperating worm wheel. Connected to the worm wheel is one side of a clutch, the other portion of the clutch being attached to a drive shaft 58. The clutch ls housed in a,portion 59 of the frame 57. Although not shown, it is assumed that all the usual adjuncts of the above mentioned operating devices will be furnished, such as a switch for the motor, an operating bar for the clutch which may be held down for continuous operation of the machine or touched for single operation of the machine, and an interlock preventing operation of the clutch during operation of a controlling key or vice versa.

Also attached to the drive shaft 58 is a gear 60 and a chain sprocket 6l. The gear 60 is in mesh with a gear 62 and actuates this gear through a single revolution during each operation of the machine. The gear 62 then transmits its motion to similar sized gears 63, 64, and 65, which contain operating cams and projections for actuating the various devices shown in Fig. 1B. For the purpose of transmitting the motion of the operating shaft to the front of the machine a chain 66 is wrapped around sprocket 6l from which it runs forward to a sprocket 67 loosely mounted 'on a stud 68 in side frame 50. Attached to the sprocket 67 is a gear 69 having a cam groove in it for operating the control mechanism. This gear 69 is in mesh with another gear 70 which is loosely pivoted on a stud 71, in the right side frame. Gear 70 has attached thereto a cam 72 for operating a preliminary control device; also attached are two mutilated gears, the gear 73 has a single .group of teeth 74 for operating the printing mechanism, the other gear 75 has two groups of teeth 76 which actuate the paper feeding devices.

Card handling devices The following section of this specication deals with the means of holding, feeding, sensing and sorting the record cards employed in the machine.

A box 77 (Fig. 1B) is secured to the rear extensions of the side frames 50 and 51. Fastened in the box is a shelf 78 upon which rests the record cards 79 and a follow up weight 80. The weight 80, by means-such as a spring or weighted pulley, keeps the record cards before its face frictionally held against a plate 81. Between the plate 81 and the shelf 78 is an open space through which only one card may pass at a time. When fed through this space, the card falls into the sensing mechanism between plate 8.1 and a pin frame 82 where the card is supported upon a latch 83.

A train of operating parts is provided which are driven by the main operating mechanism. 'I'hey are utilized for the purpose of feeding a card from the holding devices into the sensing` mechanism..`V V z Mounted on the side ofthe gear 63 is a pin 84 which, upon every revolution of the gear 63, acts upon the cam face of a lever to rock the lever in a clockwise direction. The lever 85 is fastened to a shaft 86 which has a bearing in the side frame 50 and extends through to the inside of the machine. On the insideof the machine an arm 87 is fastened to shaft 86. At the end of the arm is pivoted a link 88 which serves as a connection to a long lever 89 which is pivoted on a shaft 90. A spring 91 stretched between lever 89 and a stud on the side frame serves to hold the parts in norpawl 92 is suitably held on the plate 81 so that it 'may slide vertically down the plate and carry 4before it a record card. From the above description it will be apparent that every time the machine is operated the lever 89 will be oscillated,

sliding the pawl 92 down the plate 81 and feeding a card into the sensing mechanism. After the pin 84 passes the high point on the cam face of lever 85, the spring 91 restores the parts, lifting the pawl 92 so that its linger overlies the next record card in the pack on the shelf 78.

A sensing mechanism is provided for vthe purpose of operating a jacquard device in accordance with the holes punched in code on the record card. By means of this mechanism the holes in the card allow certain of the rods in the jacquard device to be operated.

A pin frame 93 extends across the machine between the frames 50 and 51. In the'pin frame are flexibly mounted a plurality of rows of sensing pins 94. Each of the pins is provided with a spring (not shown) which holds the pin extended out of the frame 93. Rollers 95 are mounted on the sides of the pin frame for supporting it in slots 96 on the insides of side frames 50 and 51. The slot is longer than the distance between the rollers on the frame, thus allowing the frame to reciprocate back and forth horizontally. To operate the connections for reciprocating the pin frame, a cam groove 97 is cut in the side of gear 63. Al bell crank 98 is pivoted on a stud 99 and has on the end of one arm a roller which protrudes into the cam groove 97. Upon a rotation of the gear 63 the bell crank 9'8 will be oscillated ilrst in a counterclockwis'e direction and then in a clockwise direction back to normal position. This motion of the bell crank is transmitted to the pin frame by a link 100 extending between the vertical arm of the bell crank and an arm of a lever 101 pivoted on a stud 102 in the right side frame.' The other arm of the lever 101 is slotted to receive a roller 103 on the pin frame 93. By means of the above connections, it is plain that during the early part of the movement of gear 63, pin frame 93 will move towards the record card held between plates 81 and 82, and during the final portion of the rotation of gear 63, the pin frame will withdraw the pins from the card. When the pin frame moves towards the card the sensing pins will sense the card and wherever there is a hole in the card the pin will reach through and move the related vconnection rod a, b, c, etc., in the jacquard frame. If an unpunched portion of the card is presented before a sensing pin it will be obstructed and the spring in the frame 93 will be compressed and the related connection rod ab, or c will not be moved. After the-card has of gear 63, strikes a cam face 105 on a bell crank 106 pivoted on a stud in the side frame. Attached to a depending arm of bellcrank 106 is a connecting link 107 which reaches rearward and is connected to an arm 108 secured to a shaft 109 Joumaled in the side frames. To this same shaft 109 is connected the latch 83. A spring 110 holds the parts in normal position and restores them to the said position. It is clear that by the above means, near the end of the operation of the machine the latch 83 will be oscillated allowing the card to fall into the sorter.

The sorter is shown in the drawings with only two bins, but an unlimited number of bins may be used, for the mechanism disclosed does not have to be confined to the specific showing. The bins are numbered 111 and 112. 'I'he card will normally fall in bin 112, being guided in this course by a guide plate 113 and a separating plate 1,14, both of which extend across the width of the sorter. However, under certain conditions i-n the machine the card may be sorted from the rest so as to fall in bin 111. The means for doing-g1 this comprises a shaft which is in line with plate 114 and extends across the sorter, being mounted in bearings in the side frames. Secured to this shaft is the moving separator plate 116 which extends across the sorter and pivots with shaft 115. This upper plate 116 normally lies as shown in full line on Fig.` 1B. It then appears as a continuation of plate 114 leaving no space between it and the plate 8i of the frame. However, if shaft 115 is rocked clockwise a small extent, plate 116 will assume the dotted line position of Fig. 1B, with its upper end contacting plate 113, thus directing the cards into bin 111. The means for rocking the shaft 115 will be described further on in this'speciflcation.

'Ihe above section of the specification deals with the card handling devices of the machine so now at this point in the specification the card itself as it is punched for use in the machine may very vwell be described.

Fig. 2 shows a sample record card 79 of regular commercial size which is punched in the code required by the jacquard mechanism in the present invention. The specific punching shown is that which is necessary to control the machine so that the data printed on the card will register. It will be noted that -the groups of holes on the left hand side of the card are four holes in height and that three groups of holes may be placed one above the other, each group using four of the twelve holes in the vertical rows. The four holes in a vertical row are adapted, by means which will later be described, for controlling the positioning of an actuator in one of 16 positions. 'I'he groups of holes on the right hand side of the card are ilve holes in height and two groups may be placed one above the other with a horizontal space between. The vertical space on the card between the groups of four and the groups of flve holes is provided to allow room in the jacquard device for division plates which support the ends of the shafts in the two sections of the jacquard.

In Fig. 42 the space allotted to a related group of holes is encircled with a ilne line. 'I'hese groups will now be named and numbered. The amount group 117, the age group 118, the agent group 119,

and the number group 120, are shown on the left hand side of the card. The operator group 121, the date group 122, the first name group 123, the last name group 124. and the state group are on the upper right hand side of the card, while the occupation group 126, policy number group 127. street number group 128, street name group 129, and city group are on the lower right hand side.

If desired the data may be printed on the card at the time it is punched. This would obviate the necessity of decoding the combinations on the card when it is required to read the card as is sometimes done in certain classes of work.

Fig. 4 shows all the diierent combinations oi' four holes which may be punched in the card, with the corresponding actuator position lettered above each combination. There are sixteen actuator positions which provide room for a nero type and one to fifteen type on the printing portion ot the actuator. The totalizer operating portion of the actuator will be able to rotate the totalizer wheel through iiteen steps oi movement. Of course, this much movement is not always needed. In the English money system using pence, eleven steps of movement are needed, while the American money system or the decimal system, requires only nine steps ci totalizer wheel actuation. So it is apparent that the number oi steps of actuator movement are more than enough as far as totalizer actuation is concerned. The connection rod designating letters w, .'r, y, and z have been placed in line with the holes with which the related rod would cooperate on a card.

Fig. 3 shows all the different combinations of five holes which may be put on the card, with the corresponding actuator position lettered above each combination. These actuators as shown in the present machine are used to position -a type and control section and not to actuate a totalizer, although they could do so ii' desired. There are thirty-two actuator positions which provide room for a blank type and one to thirty-one type on the printing portion of the actuator. This printing capacity just meets the requirements o! printing the day of the month in date printing. Of course, the printing capacity is more than that required for printing the 26 letters of the alphabet and the 12 months of the year. These various date, number, and alphabet type are shown on Fig. 3 in vertical alinement with the combination of holes necessary to secure their selection for printing.

The letters a, b, c, d, and e have been placed in horizontal alinernent with the holes with which the related connection rods would cooperate, were the holes present on a record card.

Jacquard of decoding mechanism As may be inferred from the description of the record card, there are disclosed herein two forms of the jacquard device. One is under the control of combinations of four holes and the other form under the control of iive holes. In both forms the same principle obtains and this principle may be expanded to employ the use of more than ilve holes in combination. In the illustrative showing the two forms of jacquard devices are used and they are provided with a common connection box for housing the connection rods a, b. and w, x, etc., previously mentioned.

This connection box (Figs. 5, 6, 7, and 8) comprises spacing plates 131, 132, 133, 134, and in which are the holes for guiding the connection rods. Theseplatesareheldinplaoebytwoside plates 136, only one of which is shown in Fig. 5, and a center plate 137 (Fig. 6). The whole connection box is removable as a unit. It is contemplated that the side plates have tlxed lugs or studs for sliding in locating slots in the main side frames. The box would slide out of the back of the machine after the removal of the sorter and the sensing devices.

In Fig. 5 is shown the form of mechanism controlled by four punched holes in combination on a record. The view is a section showing one bank ot the connection rods with the mechanism cooperating with the four top rods which cooperate with the holes in the amount group 117 (Fig. 2) on the record card 79. Each of the rods w, x, y, and z has a spring 138 for restoring it to normal position and a stop 139 for holding it there.

When a sensing pin 94 (Fig. 1B) is inserted through a hole in the record card it will slide the related connection rod to the left (Fig. 5). The left end of the connection rod then pushes upon a stop pawl which normally holds a rack from movement. There are two layers of such stop pawls cooperating with each bank of four rods. The parts throughout the device for the one bank are confined in the plane of these two pawls. A thin spacer 140 is provided between adjacent pawls and racks to space and guide them in their movement.

When the rod w (Fig. 5) is operated, it will rock the pawl 141 pivoted on the shaft 142 which extends between the main side frames.V This pawl 141 normally abuts the end of a rack 143 slidably mounted on a rectangular bar 144 that extends between the side frames. A pair of combs 145 ixed to the bar, guide the rack and hold it in vertical position. The end of the slot in rack 143 is exactly one tooth space, of the teeth on the rack, away from the side of the comb 145 so that at the proper time, if the pawl 142 is rocked out of the path, the rack 143 will be able to move one tooth space to the left.

In a similar fashion, operation of rod y will rock a pawl 146 also pivoted on shaft 142 and separated from pawl 141 by spacer 140. This pawl 146 cooperates with rack 147 alongside of and somewhat similar to rack 143, the only difference being that the end of the slot in rack 147 is two tooth spaces away from the side of comb 145.

'I'he operation of rod :c or rod z produces a somewhat diilerent eilect. A pawl 148 pivoted on a shaft 149 has pivotally mounted on one end, a bell crank 150 one arm of which abuis the end of rod x while the other arm is in front of rod z. Thus, it is apparent that if either rod :i: or rod z is operated alone the bell crank 150 will rock about the end of the other rod as a fulcrum and in turn rock pawl 148 half the distance that it would be rocked were both rods s: and e operated simultaneously. Thus it is clear that pawl 148 can be rocked to two extents, a small angle of movement by operation of one rod and a larger angle of movement when both rods are moved together.

The horizontal arm of pawl 148 reaches to the right o1' shaft 149 and cooperates with a rack 151 slidably mounted on a rectangular bar 152. Both bar 152 and shaft 149 are mounted in the main side frames. The rack 151 is nearly all hidden by a somewhat similar rack 153 which appears on top of it in Fig. 5. The end of the slot in rack 151 is eight tooth spaces from the comb on bar 152 so that if released for movement it can slide that far. But, if pawl 148 is only rocked the small anount it will, upon movement of the rack,

161and153sothateachmaymovefourstepa.

At this point it may be wellto call attention tobars156and157extendingbetweenthemain sideframes. Uponthesebarstherearexedleaf `sprlngs158and159thathaveextensionsbring uponeachpawhtendingtokeepthepawlin normal position.

Extending alongside the pawls 148 and 155 is a shaft 166 which is mounted in bail arms 161 that are fixed to each side of shaft 149. Aslisht clockwise movement of shaft 149, will, through the above devices, swing the ends of pawls 148 and 155 out of the path of racks 151 and 153. This operation occurs only during total taking. By a similar arrangement, shaft 162 and bail arms 163 pivot on shaft 142 and are connected to bail arm 161 by a link 164. Thus. pawls 141 and 146 are rockedto release racks 143 and 147 simultaneous with the release of racks 151 and 153.

For the purpose of restoring and governing the time of movement of the four racks 143, 147, 151,

and 153, there is provided a restoring bail. This bail consists of two arms 165, xed to shaft 166, having two shafts 167 and 168 etxending between them. A counterclockwise movement of shaft 166 will move arms 165 to the left (Fig. 5) rocking shaft 167 away from racks 151 and 153, and shafts 168 away from racks 143 and 147.v Subsequent clockwise movement of shaft 166 willrestore all the racks to their normal position. The shaft 166 is mounted on bearings in the two main side frames and extends from the right frame for operation.

'I'he operating connections for the bail are shown on Fig. 1B. The shaft 166 extends from the side frame and has xed to its end an arm 160 to which are attached two links 161 and 162'; the one link 161 serving to connect the various shafts 166 together, and the other forming an operating connection to an oscillating bell crank 163. 'I'he other shafts 166 have secured thereon arms 164 to which is pivotally connected link 161. The crank 163 is operated by a box cam 165 on gear 64 by means of a roller 166' on one arm of the crank which extends into the groove of the said cam.

From the above we may gather that there are four racks under control of a bank of four rods and that each of the racks has a different extent of movement, namely, one, two, four, and eight steps of movement. It will be noticed that each extent of movement is a factor or divisor of 16, the largest number of combinations or different extents of movement possible with four record characteristics in combination. This novel principle will also be discussed in connection with the ilve hole combination in the record card.

The devices about to bev described are for the purpose of summing up or adding together the simultaneous movement oi' any number of the four racks and imparting this movement to a single actuator. 'I'hese devices are designed to .trannmtthemovementofasinglerackormovementofanyeombinationofthefourracksto Por the m apeculiaryform of diiferenti'al surinaamse. Ammon les (man) meshing with opposite racks 143 and 153, is pivotally mmmtedbyastudoonarackslide 171. A aimilarmnion173meshingwithracks147and 151 is similarly mounted on another rack slide 173. 'lheaeraekslidesareheldinplaceandslide on rectamular bars 174 and combs 175 between frames and 5l. It is-apparent that the piniom may rotate,v or move bodily without rotating, or have avoombined translative and rotating movement. If rack 143 is held immovable while rack 153 moves four tooth spaces then pinion 169 will have a eombinedmovement and will rotate two tooth spaces, meanwhile moving two tooth spaces to the left carrying slide 171 along. If rack 153 does not move while rack 143`moves one tooth' space, then pinion 169 will rotate and carry slide 171 to the left one-half a tooth space. If both racks move, for the first tooth space of movement, pinion 169 will not rotate, but will slide with rack slide 171 one space to the left. When rack `143 is stopped and rack 153 continues to move three more steps, the pinion will again have a combined motion of one and one-half steps of rotation and one and one-halfl steps Aof translation. VFrom the above it is clear that whatever the com-v bined t of racks 143 and 153 is, rack slide 171 will be moved to the left exactly one-half that amount, namely, zero, one-half, two or two and one-half tooth spaces.

In a similar way, rack slide 173 will have imparted to it through pinion 172 exactly one-half the combined movement of racks 147 and 151. Therefore rack slide 173 will move zero, one, two, three, four, or five tooth spaces to the left.

It is noted that rack slide 1'73 has a depending arm 176 which is provided with rack teeth opposite to the rack teeth on the end of slide 171. A pinion 177 cooperates with the rack teeth on rack slides 171 and 173 in a manner similar to the cooperation of pinions 169 and 172 with the racks. This pinion 177 is pivotally mounted on the end of a rack slide 178 which is guided vertically and horizcntally by the bars 179 and combs 180 between frames 50 and 51. A tension spring 181 between a fixed rod 182 and the end of rack slide 178 urges the rack slide to the left (Fig. 5). The tension in this spring is transmitted through the rack slides and pinions over to the four racks urging them to the left and moving them when allowed by the pawls and bail 165. Since the relation between rack slide 178 and rack slides 171, 173, is the same as the previously described relation between rack slide 171 and racks 143, 153, it is believed apparent that rack slide 178 will receive exactly one-halfthe combined movement of rack slides 171 and 173. And since the movement of the slides 171 and 173 is only one-half of the original combined movement of the four racks, it is clear that rack slide 178 is moved to the left one-fourth of the combined amount that the four racks are allowed to move. This movement is one-fourth of, zero to fifteen tooth spaces, or zero to three and three-fourths tooth spaces on rack slide 178. So that now if we multiply the movement of yraclr slide 178 four times, a single member will have a movement equal to the combined movement of the four racks. That -is the purpose of pinion 183 and segment 184.

A shaft 185 fixed in the main side frames has loosely mounted thereon a pinion 183 to which is attached a segment 184, the gear teeth of which are formed on a pitch circle four times the diameter of the pitch circle of the pinion. The gear teeth of pinion 183 mesh with rack teeth 186 on rack slide 178 so that movement of rack slide 178 to the left will rock segment 184 in a clockwise direction. This movement of segment 184 is transmitted to an actuator slide 187 by means of rack teeth 188 on the slide. Thus it is clear that the actuator 187 receives a moxement of zero to fifteen steps depending upon the combination o! rods w, 1:, y, and e operated.

These actuators 187 have many uses in the machine that will be explained as the specification continues. Since they are the amount actuators they have rack teeth 189 for actuating the totalizers. Other rack teeth 190 are provided for holding the racks while totals are being taken. These rack teeth could also serve in connection with a detent for giving the actuators a ilnal adjustment for printing allnement. For the purpose mentioned, there are shown cooperating with the teeth 190, pawls 191 which are loosely pivoted 0n shaft 192 with attached springs 193 tending to engage the pawls with the rack teeth. A bail ixed to shaft 192 consisting of arms 194 and a cross rod 195 normally holds the pawls out of engagement with the racks. On every operation of the machine and at the proper time during the taking of a total, the bail allows the pawls to rock into engagement with the rack by the following means. The shaft 192 extends beyond the right side frame 50 (Fig. 1B) and has an arm fixed to its end. A link connects this arm to the midpoint of a lever 196 pivoted on the side frame and carrying a roller which cooperates with a cam face 197 out on the side of gear 65. A spring 198 (Fig. 5) connected to bail 194, serves to keep the roller in constant cooperation with cam 197. This cam is so proportioned that after the actuators 187 have been adjusted, the pawls 191 engage the teeth 190 and prevent further movement of actuators 187 to the right. The actuators may be moved to the left, however, for then the pawls 191 merely ratchet over teeth 190.

The form of jacquard device under the control of five holes in combination on a record will now be described. The connection rods a, b, c, d, and e (Fig. 3) for this device are mounted in the same connection box discussed above, the relative position of the rods being obvious from the positionv of the holes in the record card, Fig. 2. As the construction and mode of operation of this jacquard device is quite similar to the one already discussed, the description will not have to be as much in detail.

In Fig. 6 is shown the form of mechanism controlled by ive holes in combination on a record. The view is a section showing one bank of the connection rods with their cooperating mechanism. The rods have springs 138 for restoring them to normal position. 'I'he left end of the connection rods cooperate with stop pawls that normally hold racks from being moved. There are two thicknesses of stop pawls cooperating with each bank of five rods, as in the case of the four rods. The pawls must be oiset over or under each other to keep within the space of two planes of parts. The spacers 140 shown in Fig. 5 may also be provided to guide and space the racks and pawls in Fig. 6.

When the rod a (Fig. 6) is operated, it rocks a bell crank 200 which is pivoted on a stop pawl 201 that is mounted on shaft 202. This bell crank 200 has a short arm cooperating with rod a, and an arm twice as long cooperating with rod d, so that when movement of rod a rocks the crank, using the end of rod d as a fulcrum, pawl 201 will be pushed twice as far as when rod d rocks the crank with the end of rod a as a fulcrum, thus giving stop pawl 201 two different extents of movement according to which rod is operated. This pawl will get a third and still further extent of movement when both rods a and d are operated together. Stop pawl 201 normally abuts the end of a rack 203 slidably mounted on a rectangular bar 204 that extends between the main side frames. A pair of combs 205 held on the bar, guide the rack and hold it in vertical position.

The end of the slot in rack 203 is exactly three tooth spaces, of the teeth on the rack, away from the side of the comb 205 so that if the pawl 201 is rocked completely out of the path of rack 203 it will be able to move three tooth spaces to the left. However, stop pawl 201 does not always rock completely out of the path of the rack but has three extents of movement; rack 203 has a shoulder 206 allowing it to move one tooth space when pawl 201 is rocked a slight extent by rod d, and a shoulder 207 allowing it to move two tooth spaces when pawl 201 is rocked by rod a, and when pawl 201 is rocked still further by operation of both rods it completely clears the rack allowing the rack to move until the end of the slot abuts comb 205.

The operation of rod `b rocks a stop pawl 208 that is also pivoted on shaft 202. This pawl 208 normally prevents movement of a rack 209 which is slidably mounted next to rack 203 on bar 204. The slot in rack 209 is long enough to allow a movement of four tooth spaces.

The operation of rod c or e produces a somewhat different eiect. A pawl 210 pivoted on shaft 211 has pivotally mounted on the end of one of its arms a bell crank 212, one arm of which abuts the end of rod c while the other arm is in front of rod e. It is apparent that if either rod c or rod e is operated alone the bell crank 212 will rock about the end of the other rod as a ulcrurn and rock pawl 210 half the distance that it would be rocked were both rods c and e operated simultaneously. Thus it is clear that pawl 210 can be rocked to two extents, a small angle of movement by the operation of one rod and a larger angle of movement when both rods are moved together. The upper arm of pawl 210 reaches to the right of shaft 211 and cooperates with the end of a rack 213 slidably mounted on a rectangular bar 214. Both bar 214 and shaft 211 extend between the main side frames.

The end of the slot in rack 213 is sixteen tooth spaces from the comb on the bar 214 so that if released for movement it can slide that far. But if pawl 210 is only rocked the small amount it will, upon movement of the rack, engage an extension 215 on rack 213 and only allow the rack to move eight steps instead of sixteen. The full sixteen steps of movement of rack 213 are only allowed when the pawl 210 is rocked the larger amount by joint operation of rods c and e.

Another pawl 216 is offset to the side of crank 212 and is also adapted to be operated by rod e. This pawl also pivots on shaft 211 and has a forwardly extending arm normally abutting the end of a rack 217 which has a slot guiding it on bar 214 and allowing it to move eight tooth spaces. It is noticed that operation of rod e alone will rock both pawls 210 and 216, releasing racks 213 and 217 so that each may move eight steps.

For the purpose of restoring and holding the pawls in normal position. there arel provided two rectangular bars 218 to which are fastened leaf springs 219 having extensions bearing upon the pawls.

A bail similar to the one describedin connection with the mechanism in Fig. 5 is provided for the purpose of restoring and governing the time of movement of the four racks 203, 209, 213 and 217. This bail consists of two arms 220 nxed to shaft 166, which may be a continuation of shaft 166 (Fig. 5) or connected thereto. Two shafts V221 and 222 extend between the arms 220: shalt 221 cooperates with racks 213 and 217 and shaft 222 cooperates with racks 203 and 209. Since the operation oi' this bail is the same as the operation of bail 165, Fig. 5, no further explanation is thought necessary.

Considering the device as far as it is described, it is noted that there are four racks under control of a bank of five rods and that each of the racks has a dierent extent of movement. One rack can move from one to three steps' while the other three racks are capable of four, eight, and sixteen steps of movement respectively. Operation of each rod causes one, two, four, eight, and sixteen steps of movement respectively. It will be noticed that these five extents of movement are the smallest number possible for attaining combinations giving 32 diilerent extents of movement. The movement of each rack is a factor of 32 which is the largest number of combinations or different extents of movement possible with iive record characteristics in combination.

The devices about to be considered are for the purpose of summing up or adding together the simultaneous movement of any number of the four racks and imparting this movement to a single actuator. These devices are designed to transmit the movement of a single rack or movement of any combination of the four racks to the actuator. In view of the similarity between these devices and those described above in connection with Fig. 5, only a brief description will be given.

A pinion 223 (Fig. 6) meshing with opposite racks 209 and 213, is pivotally mounted by a stud 224 on a rack slide 225. A similar pinion 226 meshing with racks 203 and 217 is similarly mounted on another rack slide 227. These rack slides are held in place and slide on rectangular bars 228 and combs 229 between frames 50 and 51. Rack slide 225 will be moved to the left one-half the combined movement of racks 209 and 213, namely. vzero. two, eight, or ten tooth spaces. Rack slide 227 will move, due to cooperation with racks 203 and 217, zero, one-half, one, one and one-half, four, four and one-half, iive, or i'lve and one-half tooth spaces to the left.

Rack slide 227 has a depending arm 230 which isV provided with rack teeth opposite to the rack teeth on the end of slide 225. A pinion 231 cooperates with both racks in a manner similar to the cooperation of pinion 223 with racks 209 and 213. This pinion 231 is pivotally mounted on the end of a rack slide 232 which is guided by bar 233 and combs 234. A tension spring 235 between a fixed rod 236 and the end of rack slide 232, urges the slide to the left (Fig. 8). rious connections this spring urges the four racks to the left and moves them when they are released.

From the above explanation` it follows that rack slide 232 is moved to the left one-fourth of the combined amount that the four racks are Through the vaallowed to move. This movement is one-fourth of, zero, to thirty-one tooth spaces. or nero to seven and three-fourths tooth spaces on rack slide 232. This movement is multiplied four times by the following means:

A shaft 237 nxed in the main side frames has loosely mounted thereon a pinion 238 to which is attached a gea:- 239, the teeth oi' which are formed on a pitch circle four times the diameter of the pitch circle of the pinion. The gear teeth of pinion 238 mesh with rack teeth 240 on rack slide 232 so that movement of rack slide 232 tothe left will rotate gear 239 in a clockwise direction. This movement of gear 239 is transmitted to an actuator slide 241 by means of rack teeth 242 on the said slide. Thus it is apparent that the actuato: 241 receives a movement of zero to thirtyone steps depending on the combination of rods a, b, c, d, and e, that are operated. These actuators 241 carry the alphabetic, date, etc., type and have other uses that will be described further on in this specification. j

In Figs. 7 and 8 are shown views of typical sections through full banks of the jacquard device. In Fig. 7 the dotted outlines enclosing the large numerals represent the spaces occupied by the mechanism shown in Fig. 5, and the dotted outlines enclosing the large numerals 6 (Fig. 8) represent the places occupied by the mechanisms shown in Fig. 6. These mechanisms are not shown in detail in Figs. 7 and 8 because the scale would be very small. The views in Figs. 7 and 8 illustrate how, by staggering and properly shaping the mechanisms of Figs. 5 and 6, a very compact and ei'cient arrangement of a plurality of such mechanisms is obtained. In the plane of one bank of connection rods, devices are coniined for operating three actuators. The actuators 187' (Fig. 7) and 187l are operated in a manner similar to the operation of actuator 187 previously described. The position of the sixteen totalizers in the machine with respect to actuator 187 is shown. Actuator 241 is operated in a manner I similar to the operation of 241. The actuators are shown converged and offset into a common group for printing and control operation. If desired they could be shaped straight and each group of actuators 187, 241, 187 could then have individual printing and controlling devices.

The actuators converge and are oiset to form a single line of slides at the front of the machine. This construction is clearly shown in Figs. 9 and 11 where it is seen that the actuators 187,241, etc., are adjacent each other and each has a slot`359 by means of which a bar 360 and a. comb 361 across the machine guide the movement of the actuators.

I Control mechanism The machine of this invention is provided with control mechanism for controlling the operation of -many functions in the machine according to the comparison of certain data set to control, and the data presented to the machine by the punched cards and extents of movement of the actuators. By data is meant any name, number, date, address, etc., such as the information arranged on the control plate shown in Fig. 12. A certain name, number, or date, or a range of such data, may be set up by the operator of the ma'- chine, and then upon operation of the machine that vdata will be automatically compared with the name, number, date. etc., tendered to the ma- 

